DUI and Marijuana
Following the lead of other states like California and Colorado, Rhode Island has recently adopted an act allowing for the use of medical marijuana. This controlled substance was found to have significant medical benefits in relieving the pain associated with certain diseases. But the law also acknowledges that this drug, like other medicines can impair a person’s ability to perform tasks like operating a car.
DUI charges are not limited to driving under the influence of alcohol. Driving under the influence of marijuana is prohibited whether a person is a registered medical marijuana patient or not. If you are facing DUI charges associated with the use of marijuana, please contact the Rhode Island DUI defense lawyer James Powderly by calling 401-662-9006.
Medical Marijuana
In 2006, the state of Rhode Island enacted the Edward O. Hawkins and Thomas C. Slater Medical Marijuana Act, in order to legalize the use and prescription of this drug for relief from the symptoms of certain debilitating diseases. This type of act has been passed in over 10 different states as a way to allow marijuana to be used for its medicinal value. In Rhode Island, the following diseases may qualify a person to hold a registered user card:
- Cancer
- HIV
- AIDS
- Hepatitis C
- Other debilitating diseases
This regulation limits the amount that a person may legally possess with a registered card, and does not make it legal to operate a car under the influence of marijuana.
Contact Us
If you feel that you have wrongfully been charged with DUI for marijuana use, please contact Rhode Island DUI defense lawyer, James Powderly, by calling 401-662-9006.
